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Leopard & Cheetah

Leopards and cheetah may look similar to some, but they are very different cats. Leopards are the masters of stealth. You may not see them, but they have definitely seen you. Hiding in bushes or trees they ambush their prey, wanting patiently until they are within striking distance. They prefer enclosed spaces be that woodland or scrubland. They are excellent climbers which helps not only for hunting but escaping danger. They’re not the largest cat and will often get pushed off a kill by hyena or lions. However, they have the ability to drag the kill up a tree, making sure the head is suspended lower down than the body to allow the blood to drain out, preserving the meat for longer. Up in a tree not much can bother them and they will feed on a kill for days without leaving or getting interrupted. They live very solitary lives often going months without encountering another leopard.

Cheetahs are the super cars of the Africa plains. They are slender cats but are the fastest land animal in the world. They are commonly found around open spaces as they need a lot of room when hunting. They are also masters of camouflage as despite their ability to run fast they cannot maintain their top speed for long, so they have to be close to their prey before they strike. They too are solitary cats but in some cases, they have been known to join forces; mainly males. When this is the case they are possible one of Africa’s most formidable hunting forces. They too have an issue with getting driven off a kill by lions or hyena so they make sure they consume their meal as fast as possible, and once full they will leave as to avoid confrontation.